By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Salisbury man faces child abuse charges after he was accused of punching and kicking his 11-year-old stepson, according to Rowan County authorities.

Adrian Angel Garcia, 30, of the 200 block of Dream Lane, was charged Sunday with misdemeanor child abuse, misdemeanor resist, delay, obstruct an officer, felony assault on a law enforcement officer, and misdemeanor assault on a child/minor.

Deputies responded to the home initially for an 11-year-old acting out, officials said, but learned from the mother and others in the home that Garcia pulled the boy’s hair, smacked him on the head, pushed him to the floor as well as punched and kicked him.

The mother heard the commotion and pulled Garcia off the child, a report said.

The boy had some swelling to the back of his head above his ear and his neck. Rowan EMS responded to the home to check the child. While responders were there, the child became nauseous so his mother took him to the ER.

According to the report, the boy and his brother were arguing when one of them was taking a shower and that’s when Garcia reportedly pulled the boy’s hair.

When a deputy arrived, he began to walk Garcia to his patrol car and another officer noticed Garcia wasn’t wearing shoes so they allowed him to put on shoes. A report said Garcia, who was handcuffed, lunged at the deputy with his shoulder and it sent the officer to the ground with Garcia on top of him. The deputy injured his hand in a scuffle with Garcia.

Officials say this deputy had previously injured the same hand and believe he now has ligament or joint injuries following this incident. Officials say deputies noted the smell of alcohol on Garcia and wrestled to get him into the patrol car.

He remains in the Rowan County jail under a $35,000 secured bond. Rowan officials say Garcia could face felony charges after it’s known the extent of the child’s injuries.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.